Dispenser comprising only one single hinge

ABSTRACT

Dispensers for dispensing an insect control active include a porous substrate impregnated with an insect control active. The porous substrate has a minimal bending moment of about 150 to about 275 g-cm. Upon activation, the dispenser exhibits an effective release rate of the insect control active of about 0.1 to about 0.3 mg/hr.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/729,272, filed Nov. 21, 2012, which is incorporated by reference.

REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

SEQUENTIAL LISTING

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Background

The present invention relates generally to a passive volatile materialdispenser.

2. Description of the Background

Various volatile material dispensing devices are known that generallyinclude a reservoir that holds a volatile material and may include ahousing or support structure to retain the reservoir. These devicestypically either allow passive diffusion of the volatile material tooccur without the aid of a dispensing mechanism or enhance and/orfacilitate the release of the volatile material using a dispensingmechanism. Typical dispensing mechanisms used in volatile materialdispensing devices include a heating device and/or a fan. Such priorpassive dispensers often require costly materials that lead to moreexpensive dispensers. In addition, common volatile materialsincorporated into waxes and gel systems tend to be fragile. Suchvolatile materials are therefore susceptible to impact, extremetemperatures, and changes in humidity. There is a need, therefore, forinexpensive and durable passive dispensers that provide greateraccessibility to volatile dispensers in inclement environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, a dispenser for dispensing an insect controlactive includes a porous substrate impregnated with an insect controlactive. The porous substrate has a minimal bending moment of about 150to about 275 g-cm. Upon activation, the dispenser exhibits an effectiverelease rate of the insect control active of about 0.1 to about 0.3mg/hr.

According to another aspect, a method of using a passive volatilematerial dispenser includes identifying a confined space to be protectedfrom a pest. The confined spaced includes a horizontally disposed topbarrier, a vertically disposed perimeter barrier that extends from thetop barrier to a bottom barrier, a first zone that extends verticallydownward from the top barrier to a first height, and a second zone thatextends vertically downward from the first height to the bottom barrier.The method further includes the steps of activating a passive volatilematerial dispenser including a porous substrate impregnated with aninsect control active, and placing the activated passive volatilematerial dispenser in the first zone. Each of the top barrier and theperimeter barrier is at least partially impervious to air currents.

According to a further aspect, a method of providing a passive volatilematerial dispenser to consumers includes providing a sealed pouchcontaining a passive volatile material dispenser having instructions.The passive volatile material dispenser includes a porous substrateimpregnated with an insect control active. The instructions direct aconsumer to open the pouch and remove the passive volatile materialdispenser therefrom to activate the passive volatile material dispenser,and to place the activated passive volatile material dispensersubstantially in a center of a room.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent upon reading the following detailed description and uponreference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of a first embodiment of a dispenser ina first state;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the dispenser of FIG. 1, the rearelevational view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the dispenser of FIG. 1, theleft side elevational view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front isometric view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 in a secondstate;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the dispenser of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the dispenser of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a left side elevational view of the dispenser of FIG. 6, theright side elevational view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the dispenser of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the dispenser of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11A is a front elevational view according to another embodiment ofthe dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a front isometric view of a second embodiment of a dispenserin a first state;

FIG. 13 is a front isometric view of the dispenser of FIG. 12 in asecond state;

FIG. 14 is a front isometric view of a third embodiment of a dispenserin a first state;

FIG. 15 is a front isometric view of the dispenser of FIG. 14 in asecond state;

FIG. 16 is a front elevational, schematic view of a space in which adispenser may be used according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of the space of FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As depicted in FIGS. 1 to 11, a dispensing device 10 generally includesa substrate 12 and a volatile material 14 disposed on and/or in thesubstrate. The dispensing device 10 is adapted to passively dispense thevolatile material 14 when air flows through and/or around the substrate12. The substrate 12 includes a first wall portion 16 and a second wallportion 18 hingedly attached to the first wall portion along a fold line20. The substrate 12 may also include one or more apertures 22 of anyshape to permit the dispenser 10 to be hung, for example, from a wallhanger display or other location when in use and/or to increase air flowthrough the dispenser. Additionally, a string (not shown) may beprovided through the aperture 22 to assist in hanging the dispenser 10.

The substrate 12 is designed to carry the volatile material 14, whetheron a surface thereof and/or absorbed therein, and release it into theambient environment once exposed thereto. In one embodiment, thesubstrate 12 includes a volatile active-permeable material, such as acellulose fiber-containing substrate. Cellulose fiber-based substratesmay include an amount of cellulose by weight ranging from less thanabout 50% to about 99%, or about 75% to about 99%, or about 95% to about99%, or about 97.5% to about 98.5%, or more or less. Similarly,cellulose fiber-based substrates may include an amount of a secondarymaterial by weight ranging from about 1% to greater than about 50%,about 1% to about 25%, or about 1% to about 5%, or about 1.5% to about2.5%, or more or less. Secondary materials include, for example,binders, pigments, polymers, resins, dyes, and other materials known inthe art. In one embodiment, a cellulose fiber-based substrate may haveabout 98.5% cellulose and about 1.5% wet strength polyamide resin.

In one embodiment, cellulosic materials, such as those available fromEMI Specialty Papers (Redding, Conn.) may be used. Specifically, oneparticular embodiment utilizes Grade 30250 paperboard from EMI SpecialtyPapers. Another embodiment utilizes Grade 18430 from EMI SpecialtyPapers. Additional substrate materials contemplated include crepe paper,printer paper, A4 paper, and other cellulosic materials. Additionalexamples of materials contemplated for the substrate 12 includeplastics, polymers, fabrics, non-woven substrates, such as a PETnon-woven substrate, and/or combinations thereof. Additionally, thesubstrate 12 may include combinations of manufactured, natural, andrecycled or reclaimed materials. It is further contemplated that thesubstrate 12 may include a laminate composed of two or more layers ofmaterials, wherein the laminate may include only volatileactive-permeable materials or combinations of volatile active-permeableand impermeable materials.

In one embodiment, the substrate 12 has a flat, smooth appearance. Inanother embodiment, however, the substrate 12 may have various texturesand/or surface patterns, such as a rough surface, a smooth surface, achanneled surface, and combinations thereof that may increase surfacearea and/or the rate of emanation of the composition. The substrate 12may be of any size or shape. For example, the substrate 12 may have arectangular configuration and dimensions of about 2.5 cm to about 25centimeters, or about 5 centimeters to about 12 centimeters, or about7.5 centimeters to about 13 centimeters, and the like. Additional shapescontemplated include circles, hearts, diamonds, squares, triangles, orany other geometric shape.

Further criteria that may be relevant for choosing a substrate 12include the thickness or caliper of the substrate. For example, thesubstrate 12 may have a thickness (±10%) of about 0.15 mm, or about 0.3mm, or about 0.4 mm, or about 0.5 mm, or about 1 mm, or about 2 mm, orabout 3 mm, or about 5 mm, or about 10 mm. In addition, the basis weightof cellulosic materials may of interest when choosing such substrates.For example, a basis weight (±10%) of about 250 gsm, or about 300 gsm,or about 330 gsm may be desirable. Further, the rapidity of a cellulosicsubstrate may be considered. For example, a rapidity (±10%) of about 50ml/minute, or about 60 ml/minute, or about 70 ml/minute, or about 100ml/minute may be desirable. Another factor to be considered forcellulosic substrates includes wet burst strength. For example, adesirable substrate may have a wet burst (±10%) of about 180 centimetersH₂O, or about 215 centimeters H₂O, or about 250 centimeters H₂O, orabout 280 centimeters H₂O.

Rigidity or stiffness of a substrate may be a further criterion forconsideration in choosing a substrate. Appropriate rigidity may aid inthe appearance and stability of the substrate by reducing the amount ofcurl of the substrate when impregnated with a composition and/or whenexposed to humid conditions. One measure of stiffness is Taber Stiffnessor the bending moment (represented in g-cm or mN*m). For cellulosicsubstrates, these measurements may be taken along the machine direction(MD) and cross machine direction (CD) orientations of the cellulosicfibers of the substrate. For example, minimal bending moments for adesirable substrate may have a range (±10%) of about 5 to about 10, orabout 10 to about 25, or about 20 to about 100, or about 50 to about175, or about 100 to about 225, or about 150 to about 275, or about 200to about 325 g-cm or greater as measure by a Taber-type tester in abasic configuration (standard TAPPI T 489 om-13) or a Taber-type testerin 0 to 10 configuration (standard TAPPI T 566 om-08), where the testerwas verified with standard control paper.

Moreover, another measure is the resistance to bending (represented inmN) of a substrate. Such a measure is relevant in the present contextwhere a dispenser 10 may be employed in different states according towhether the dispenser is in a two dimensional state or a threedimensional state after being manipulated by the user. For example, asubstrate may require a minimal average force to overcome thesubstrate's inherent resistance to bending. In one embodiment, asubstrate may require (±10%) at least about 30 mN, or about 60 mN, orabout 100 mN, or about 200 mN, or about 300 mN, or about 400 mN, orabout 500 mN, or about 200 to about 400 mN, or about 300 to about 500mN, or about 400 to about 600 mN of force to overcome its resistance tobending.

For example, a comparison of substrate stiffness and resistance tobending for a pair of different substrate materials (EMI 18430 and A4(80 gsm)) is shown in Table No. 1 taken according to the above testingmethodologies.

TABLE NO. 1 Taber Stiffness of Substrates. Sample Identificaton 18430 A4Orientation MD CD MD CD Taber Stiffness or Bendng Moment (TaberStiffness Units (g-cm)) Average 290 163 2.10 0.978 Std. Dev. 11.8 10.40.053 0.0773 Max 306 171 2.17 1.06 Min 275 151 2.03 0.885 n= 5 3 5 5Loading Weight 2000 2000 none none (Taber Units) Taber Stiffness orBending Moment (mN*m) Average 28.5 16.0 0.206 0.0959 Std. Dev. 1.16 1.020.0052 0.00758 Max 30.0 16.8 0.213 0.104 Min 27.0 14.8 0.199 0.0868 n= 53 5 5 Resistance to Bending (mN) Average 569 319 20.6 9.59 Std. Dev.23.2 20.4 0.52 0.758 Max 600 335 21.3 10.4 Min 539 296 19.9 8.68 n= 5 35 5

Another factor that may be considered in choosing the substrate 12 isthe rate of release of a composition impregnated within the substrate.For example, a substrate 12 may be chosen to provide a release rate suchthat an effective amount of a volatile material, such as an insectcontrol active, which may be an insecticide or insect repellent, isreleased for a specific length of time, such as for about 1, or about 2,or about 4, or about 7, or about 14 days. In one embodiment, the insectcontrol active may be a mosquito control active, such as an insecticideor repellent effective against mosquitoes. Further, the substrate 12 mayalso be chosen based on its ability to maximally release a compositionheld therein, such that at the end of life of the dispenser 10, aminimal amount of composition is still contained therein. An example ofthe amount of composition released over time is shown below in Table No.2, which illustrates the remaining insecticide (TFT=transfluthrin) inmilligrams at different time points (days) over a period of 14 days.Each substrate began with 80 mg TFT.

TABLE NO. 2 Amount of Composition Release Over Time Per Substrate.Treatment 0 4 7 9 14 Crepe Paper 72.3 51.4 40.7 30.9 17.5 EMI 18430 48.133.7 EMI 30250 78.4 62.5 49.1 23.2

Table No. 3 illustrates the average release rates (mg/hr) of the threesubstrates shown in Table No. 2 based on the amount released by day 7.

TABLE NO. 3 Comparison of Release Rates Per Substrate. Approximateaverage release rate at 7 days Treatment (mg/hr) Crepe Paper 0.2 EMI18430 0.3 EMI 30250 0.1

Based on the data in Table Nos. 2 and 3, EMI 18430 may be chosen as amore effective substrate due to the higher rate of release, whichtranslates into a reduced amount of composition left in the card andgreater efficiency. Contemplated effective release rates of the insectcontrol active in a substrate may be about 0.05 mg/hr, or about 0.1mg/hr, or about 0.2 mg/hr, or about 0.3 mg/hr, or about 0.5 mg/hr, orabout 1 or about 2 mg/hr, or about 5 or about 10 mg/hr, or from about0.05 to about 0.2 mg/hr, or from about 0.1 to about 0.3 mg/hr, or fromabout 0.2 to about 0.5 mg/hr, or from about 0.5 to about 2 mg/hr, orfrom about 2 to about 5 mg/hr, or from about 5 to about 10 mg/hr.

By dosing or coating the substrate 12 with an appropriate composition,air encountering the dispenser 10 will acquire a portion of the volatilematerial 14 thereon and/or therein and dispense it from the dispenser.Suitable volatile materials/actives may include, for example, insectrepellents or insecticides. Alternatively, any other volatile materialknown to those skilled in the art may be used.

In one embodiment, the insect control active may include D-teflumethrin,transfluthrin, prallethrin, vaporthrin, metofluthrin, tefluthrin,esbiothrin, other synthetic pyrethroids, and combinations thereof. Inanother embodiment, the insect control active may include insectrepellents, such as, for example, mosquito repellents. The compositionmay solely include an insect control active, or may further include anoil-based and/or water-based carrier, a hydrocarbon, an alcohol, forexample, ethanol, or other solvent or carrier, and combinations thereof.It is contemplated fragrances may be used as “use up” indicators, suchthat when a user can no longer perceive the scent of the fragrance, thestrength of the insect control active is no longer effective for itsintended purpose and a new device is required or the device must be“recharged” with another dose of the composition or replaced. In thisembodiment, the emanation rate of the fragrance and that of any volatileactive are substantially the same. Additional use-up cues may includeindividual or combinations of appearing and disappearing inks and thelike. Any fragrance may be used herein including, for example, a floralscent, a fresh scent, a lavender scent, a eucalyptus scent, a pinescent, a spice scent, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, a composition may include a fragrance, a carrier, andvolatile active/active ingredient in an amount as depicted in Table No.4.

TABLE NO. 4 Composition. Component Approximate Wt % (±10%) Fragrance 80%Carrier 12 to 17% Volatile active 3 to 8%

In another embodiment, exemplary compositions contemplated hereininclude Compositions A to C as depicted in Table Nos. 5 to 7.

TABLE NO. 5 Composition A. Approximate Wt % Component Mg (±10%)Fragrance 1600    80% Ethanol 339.46 16.973% Transfluthrin (99.1%) 60.54 3.027%

TABLE NO. 6 Composition B. Approximate Wt % Component Mg (±10%)Fragrance 800    80% Ethanol 119.27 11.927% Transfluthrin 80.73  8.073%(99.1%)

TABLE NO. 7 Composition C. Approximate Wt % Component Mg (±10%)Fragrance 1600    80% Ethanol 319.28 15.964% Transfluthrin 80.72  4.036%(99.1%)

In one embodiment, Compositions A, B, or C, once mixed, may be appliedto a substrate measuring about 7.5 centimeters by about 12.5 centimetersin an amount of about 2 grams total to provide a functional dispenser10.

In another embodiment, the components of a composition, once combined,may be thoroughly mixed and dosed onto the substrate 12 in any desiredamount. For example, the compositions may be dosed in an amount of about1 gram, or about 2 grams, or about 4 grams, or about 8 grams, or about10 grams, or about 20 grams, or about 50 grams per cellulose substratemeasuring about 7.5 by about 12.5 centimeters and having a caliper widthof about 15 mm.

The substrate 12 is preferably capable of holding a dose of thecomposition containing the volatile active in a relatively evendistribution thereon and also capable of allowing evaporation inresponse to the air flow equally from all exposed surfaces. Thesubstrate 12 may also allow for wicking of the active ingredientfollowing dosing to ensure efficient distribution throughout thesubstrate 12. Dosing may be accomplished by dropping, spraying,printing, or other conventional delivery of a liquid composition to thesubstrate 12.

The dispenser 10 may be employed in a first state, as shown in FIGS. 1to 5 where the first wall portion 16 and the second wall portion 18 ofthe substrate 12 are substantially planar. One or more attachment points24 may be used to maintain the dispenser 10 in the first state until auser disrupts the attachment point(s) to allow the dispenser to beemployed in a second state, as depicted in FIGS. 6 to 11. The attachmentpoint(s) 24 may be formed during the manufacture of the dispenser 10 bycutting slits 26 and 28 in the substrate 12 by means known in the art,such as die cutting, to form the second wall portion 18, wherein theslit 28 does not extend completely to the bottom edge 30 of thesubstrate. Alternatively, or in addition, the attachment point(s) 24 maybe formed of an adhesive, staple, or any other chemical or mechanicalbased attachment means known to one of skill in the art. Further, theattachment point(s) 24 may additionally, or alternatively, comprise aconventional perforated portion(s) or tear strip as known to one ofskill in the art.

To convert the dispenser 10 from the first state to the second state, auser may disrupt the attachment point(s) 24 by breaking the bond orotherwise removing the impediment to allow the second wall portion 18 torotate away from the first wall portion 16 about the fold line 20. Inthe second state, the dispenser 10 has a substantially triangularconfiguration such as seen in FIG. 6. In the second state, the first 16and second 18 wall portions form a relatively rigid base 32 that mayrest on a surface 34, thereby effectively suspending the dispenser 10above the surface 34. In other words, the substantially triangularstructure 32 is adapted to enable the dispenser 10 to have asubstantially vertical orientation when placed on a horizontal surface34. Thus, the dispenser 10 may be effectively deployed in either thefirst state when hung from a support (not shown) or the second statewhen placed on the horizontal surface 34.

In one embodiment, the dispensers 10 of the present disclosure may besold in a package in a first state where the first 16 and second 18 wallportions are substantially planar. Further, the packaging may be made ofany material that preserves the volatile material 14 within thesubstrate 12 during shipping and storage, such as a cellulosic material,a plastic material, and combinations thereof. Moreover, the packagingmay be of any useful and/or aesthetic shape or configuration known toone skilled in the art, such as a pouch, a bag, a box, a laminatedstructure, and the like.

In one embodiment, a user may initiate use of a dispenser 10, forexample, a mosquito repellent card, by opening a pouch containing one ormore dispensers and removing the dispenser from the packaging.Thereafter, the dispenser may be retained in a first state or convertedfrom the first state to a second state to place the dispenser on a flatsurface. Alternatively, a string or similar item may be inserted throughthe aperture 22 to hang the mosquito repellent card in a room. In someembodiments, the string or similar item is already provided in anattached manner to the dispenser upon removal of the dispenser from thepackage. Upon deployment in a room, a dispenser may require a period oftime to reach full strength. For example, it may require about ¼ day, orabout ½ day, or about 1 day, or about 2 days to reach full strength.

Dispensers of the present disclosure may be used in an interior space oran exterior space. For example, a dispenser 10 may be effective againstmosquitoes in a room having a size of about 3× about 3 meters, or about4× about 4 meters, or about 5× about 5 meters, or more or less. Further,dispensers of the present disclosure may have an effective duration ofcontinuous use of about 1 day, or about 2 days, or about 4 days, orabout 7 days, or about 2 weeks, or about 1 month, or about 2 months, ormore or less.

In addition, while not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believedthat the volatile material 14 within the dispenser 10 may have a firstemanation rate in the first state and a second emanation rate in thesecond state. For example, the dispenser 10 while in the first state, ifplaced on the horizontal surface 34, would only have the side oppositethe surface 34 exposed to the ambient environment and therefore aminimal amount of surface area from which the composition may emanate.In contrast, in the second state, the dispenser 10 may have asubstantially vertical orientation relative to the surface that exposesa greater surface area of the substrate 12 to the ambient environment.Therefore, in the second state, a greater amount of composition may bereleased over time from the dispenser 10. In addition, it is believedthat when deployed in the second state, the articulation of the secondwall portion 18 from the first wall portion 16 enables greater air flowthrough the substrate 12 to increase the emanation rate relative to thedispenser 10 when in the first state.

The dispenser of FIGS. 1 to 11A has a substantially rectangular shapeand may be sized to have a length L1 of about 12.5 centimeters and awidth W1 of about 7.5 centimeters (see FIG. 1). The second wall portion18 may have a width W2 of about 2.5 centimeters, which may result in thefirst wall portion 16 having widths W3 and W4 on either side of thesecond wall portion of about 2.5 centimeters each. However, theplacement of slits 26 and 28 may be varied, which allows for varyingwidths W2 to W4. Further, the placement of the second wall portion 18relative to a center point C of the substrate 12 may also be varied.Further, the slits 24, 26 may be of any length required to form a secondwall portion 18 of sufficient length to form a stable base 32 when thedispenser 10 is deployed in the second state. For example, the slits maybe about 2.5 centimeters, or about 5 centimeters, or about 7.5centimeters or shorter or longer and any length therebetween. In theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 to 11A, the aperture 22, center point C,and the second wall portion 18, are centered along a central axis X (seeFIGS. 1 and 6) that is parallel to a side edge 36 of the substrate 12.

With reference to FIG. 11A, the dispenser 10 may further include text 38on either or both of the first 16 or second 18 wall portions and also onthe front and/or back sides of the dispenser. In one example, the text38 may include one or more of an instruction, a label, a description ofthe dispenser's materials, contents, and/or fragrance, a calendar thatallows a user to record a day and/or date of initial use and record thenumber of days of use, an advertisement, an indication of thedispenser's effective lifespan, an indicium, an icon, a picture, a logo,a description of the insects that are effectively repelled and/or killedby the dispenser, a disease claim that indicates the type ofdisease-carrying insects the dispenser repels and/or kills, a countryindicator that indicates in which countries the dispenser may bemaximally effective, a brand name, a product name, a product descriptor,a caution, an avatar, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the text 38 may include instructions that direct auser to open a container (not shown) in which the dispenser 10 iscarried, such as a pouch, box, can, or other package, remove thedispenser from the container to activate the dispenser, identify a spaceto place the activated dispenser, and place the activated dispensersubstantially in the center of the identified space, such as an indoorarea, a room, a hall, a closet, a porch, and the like. The text 38 mayfurther include instructions that direct a user to record an initialdate of use of the passive volatile dispenser on the dispenser, such ason a calendar disposed thereon, allow a period of time to elapse for thedispenser to reach full strength, such as about 2 hours, or about 4hours, or about 6 hours, or about 8 hours, and leave the dispenser inthe space for a period of time, such as for about 3 days, or about 6days, or up to about 7 days from the initial date of use. Further,instructions may direct a user to replace the dispenser 10 with a newdispenser after the dispenser's effective lifespan has passed. Moreover,the instructions may direct the user to use the dispenser in a room witha fan or in an area with air flow.

FIGS. 12 to 15 depict different embodiments of dispensers 100 and 200that are similar to the dispenser 10 of FIGS. 1 to 11A. However, whilethe dispenser 10 had an L1 that was greater than W1, for the dispensers100 and 200, W1 is greater than L1. For example, in one embodiment,while the dispenser 10 may have an L1 of about 12.5 centimeters and a W1of about 7.5 centimeters, the dispensers 100 and 200 may have an L1 ofabout 7.5 centimeters and a W1 of about 12.5 centimeters. Further, theaperture 22 may be disposed near the side edge 36 rather than centeredabove the second wall portion 18. The widths W2 to W4 also differ indispensers 100 and 200 from that of dispenser 10. For example, thedispenser 100 includes a width W2, which is the distance between slits26 and 28, that is about 7.5 centimeters, and widths W3 and W4 of about2.5 centimeters each.

Dispenser 200 differs from dispenser 100 in that the second wall portion18 is formed at a corner of the substrate 12 by a single slit 26 in thesubstrate. Further, the slit 26 is centered in the substrate 12, therebyproviding a second wall portion with a width W2 of ½ W1. For example,when W1 is about 12.5 centimeters, W2 is about 6.3 centimeters. Further,the dispenser 200 of the present embodiment includes a width W5 of about6.3 centimeters. Alternatively, the placement of the slit 26 may bemodified in conjunction with the widths W2 and W5 to be off-centered. Asshown in FIG. 15, when the dispenser 200 is deployed in the second stateand in a substantially vertical orientation, it may have two differentorientations: a first where the bottom edge 30 is placed on a horizontalplanar surface or a second where the bottom edge is perpendicular to thesurface.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate a confined or interior space 300 such as anindoor area, a room, a tent, a hall, a closet, a porch, and the like, inwhich a user may place an activated dispenser 310 to repel or killinsects, such as mosquitoes. The space 300 may be bounded, at leastpartially, by a horizontally disposed top barrier 312, such as aceiling, rafters, or a roof, a vertically disposed perimeter barrier314, such as a wall, screen, window, curtain, and the like, and ahorizontally disposed bottom barrier 316, such as a floor. Each of thetop barrier 312, perimeter barrier 314, and bottom barrier 316 istypically at least partially impervious to air currents.

In one embodiment, the bottom barrier 316 of the space 300 hasdimensions of about 3 meters by about 3 meters, or about 4 meters byabout 4 meters, or about 5 meters by about 5 meters, or about 1 to 10meters by about 1 to 10 meters. In another embodiment, the bottombarrier 316 has a surface area of about 9 meters², or about 10 to 12meters², or about 12 to 16 meters², or about 16 to 20 meters², or about24 to 48 meters². In the present embodiment, the bottom barrier 316 issubstantially planar, however, it is contemplated that interruptions orother geometries may be applied to the bottom barrier as are typicallyfound in such spaces.

The perimeter barrier 314 may have a height of about 2 meters, or about3 meters, or about 4 meters, or about 5 meters, or about 2 to 10 meters,and the like. The perimeter barrier is presently depicted as a generallyrectangular area comprising planar walls as may be conventionally foundin such spaces. However, it is also contemplated that the perimeterbarrier may be provided with interruptions, e.g., a window, door, openwall, etc., or other geometries, e.g., a shelf, a ledge, rounded walls,other wall geometries that extend inwardly or outwardly about a lengthor height thereof, etc.

The top barrier 312 may have similar dimensions to that of the bottombarrier 316. For example, the interior space 300 may be a conventionalrectangular room with planar bottom and top walls, i.e., bottom and topbarriers 316, 312, respectively, with generally perpendicular wallsextending therebetween, i.e., the perimeter barrier 314. In a differentembodiment, the top barrier 312 may be provided with a differentgeometry, e.g., as an angled ceiling such as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17,which demarcates the upper boundary of the interior space 300.

The space 300 may be divided into separate zones, including for example,an upper or first zone 318 and a lower or second zone 320. The upperzone 318 may extend vertically downward from the top barrier 312 to afirst height 322. The first height 322 may be any distance from thebottom barrier 316. For example, the first height 322 may be about 1meter, or about 2 meters, or about 3 meters, or about 4 meters, or about5 meters from the bottom barrier 316. Further, the first height 322 maybe determined by the average height of a given population at aparticular age. For example, the first height 322 may be at or aboveabout the average height of an adult in a country where the dispenser310 is to be used. Further, the first height 322 may be determined withreference to the height of the top barrier 312. For example, the firstheight 322 may be any distance from the top barrier 312. Further, thefirst height 322 may be about ½ meter, or about 1 meter, or about 2meters, or about 3 meters, or about 4 meters, or about 5 meters from thefrom the top barrier 312. The second zone 320 extends verticallydownward from the first height 322 to the bottom barrier 316.Preferably, the second zone 320 is the area normally occupied by theuser of the space 300, and the first zone 318 is the remaining area ofthe space above the area normally occupied by the user.

While each of the top barrier 312, perimeter barrier 314, and bottombarrier 316 is typically at least partially impervious to air currents,there may be differential air currents within the space 300 based on thezone. For example, the first zone 318 may have little to no air currentbut the second zone 320 may have slight to moderate air currents due tofoot traffic, air flow through a window, a fan, an air vent, and thelike. In one embodiment, the first zone 318 has an air flow of about10%, or about 20%, or about 40% that of the second zone 320. In anotherembodiment, the second zone 320 has an air flow of about 1×, or about2×, or about 3×, or about 10× of that of the first zone 318. In afurther embodiment, the second zone 320 may have an air flow measured incubic meters (or meters) per second of about 0.01, or about 0.03, orabout 0.5, or about 1, or about 2, or about 4, or about 8, or about 10,or about 20, or about 40. Contemplated air flow rates may also rangefrom about 0.01 to about 0.1, or about 0.03 to about 0.3, or about 0.05to about 0.5, or about 0.1 to about 1 cubic meters (or meters) persecond.

FIGS. 16 and 17 further illustrate an activated dispenser 310 suspendedwithin the first zone 318 by a suspension device 324 that has beenattached to an attachment point 326. The dispenser 310 may be any of thedispensers as shown in FIGS. 1 to 15 or otherwise contemplated herein.The suspension device 324 may include a string, a wire, a cord, a rope,a chain, a hook, or similar means attached at one end to the dispenser310, such as at an aperture 328, and at the other end to the attachmentpoint 326. The suspension device 324 may be of sufficient length topermit suspension from an attachment point 326 within the first zone318, such that the dispenser 310 is suspended within the first zone. Forexample, the suspension device 324 may be about 30 centimeters, or about40 centimeters, or about 60 centimeters, or about 1 meter in length. Inone embodiment, the attachment point 326 is substantially in the centerof the space 300, such that the dispenser 310 is suspended substantiallyin the center of the room or interior space 300 within the first zone318. However, other embodiments are contemplated including suspension ofthe dispenser on a wall or placement on a horizontal surface (notshown), such as a table, shelf, and the like, within the interior space300 with the suspension device 324 removed or otherwise not utilized.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The dispenser described herein advantageously combines the functionalcharacteristics of an insect control active dispenser that is adjustablebetween first and second states to facilitate the use of the system.

Numerous modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art inview of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is tobe construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose ofenabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and toteach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to allmodifications which come within the scope of the application arereserved. All patents and publications are incorporated by reference.

We claim:
 1. A method of providing a passive volatile material dispenserto consumers, comprising: providing a sealed pouch containing a passivevolatile material dispenser having instructions, the passive volatilematerial dispenser comprising a porous substrate impregnated with aninsect control active, wherein the porous substrate has a TAPPI T 489om-13 or TAPPI T 566 om-08 minimal bending moment of about 150 to about275 g-cm, wherein the porous substrate comprises a first wall portionand a second wall portion hingedly connected along a first hinge, andseparably connected, wherein the porous substrate comprises only thefirst hinge, wherein upon activation the dispenser exhibits an effectiverelease rate of the insect control active of about 0.1 to about 0.3mg/hr, and wherein the instructions direct a consumer to: (i) open thepouch and remove the passive volatile material dispenser therefrom toactivate the passive volatile material dispenser, and (ii) place theactivated passive volatile material dispenser substantially in a centerof a room.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the instructions furtherdirect the consumer to: (iii) record an initial date of use of thepassive volatile material dispenser on the passive volatile materialdispenser, (iv) allow 6 hours for the passive volatile materialdispenser to reach full strength, and (v) leave the passive volatilematerial dispenser in the room for up to about 7 days from the initialdate of use.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the instructions furtherdirect the consumer to: (vi) use the passive volatile material dispenserin a room with a fan or in an area with air flow.
 4. The method of claim1, wherein the porous substrate comprises a cellulosic material, aplastic, a polymer, a fabric, a non-woven substrate, and combinationsthereof.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second wall portion ishingedly connected to the first wall portion at a first fold line, thefirst wall portion and the second wall portion forming a substantiallyplanar structure in a first state.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst wall portion and second wall portion are adapted to form asubstantially triangular structure in a second state.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the dispenser is adapted to form the substantiallytriangular structure in the second state by application of a minimalaverage force of about 320 to about 570 mN to the second wall portion atan end opposite the first fold line in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the substantially planar structure in the first state.8. The method of claim 1 further comprising a suspension device forsuspending the porous substrate in a substantially vertical orientationfrom an upper end of the porous substrate.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein the insect control active comprises a pyrethroid.
 10. The methodof claim 9, wherein the pyrethroid comprises transfluthrin ormetofluthrin.
 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising a carrier.12. The method of claim 11, wherein the carrier comprises a fragrance.13. The method of claim 11, wherein the carrier is released at a rate ofabout 1600 mg over a period of about 7 days.
 14. The method of claim 1,wherein a bottom barrier of the room comprises a floor space of about 3meters by about 3 meters, or about 4 meters by about 4 meters, or about5 meters by about 5 meters, or about 1 to 10 meters by about 1 to 10meters.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein a vertically disposedperimeter barrier of the room has a height of about 3 meters, or about 4meters, or about 5 meters, or about 2 to 10 meters.
 16. A method ofdirecting and communicating product dispensing to consumers by providinga sealed pouch containing a passive volatile material dispenser havinginstructions, the passive volatile material dispenser comprising aporous substrate impregnated with an insect control active, the poroussubstrate comprising a first wall portion and a second wall portionhingedly connected along a first hinge, and separably connected, whereinthe dispenser comprises only the first hinge, the method comprisingdirecting a consumer to: (i) open the pouch and remove the passivevolatile material dispenser therefrom to activate the passive volatilematerial dispenser, and (ii) place the activated passive volatilematerial dispenser substantially in a center of a room.
 17. The methodof claim 16, the method further comprising directing the consumer to:(iii) record an initial date of use of the passive volatile materialdispenser on the passive volatile material dispenser, (iv) allow 6 hoursfor the passive volatile material dispenser to reach full strength, and(v) leave the passive volatile material dispenser in the room for up toabout 7 days from the initial date of use.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein the instructions further direct the consumer to: (vi) use thepassive volatile material dispenser in a room with a fan or in an areawith air flow.